Publisher's Synopsis
The aim of this book is to help all professionals who work with children to recognise, to understand and, if possible, to prevent 'Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy' abuse. This headline title encompasses many different situations in which children are presented as 'sick' but where the 'illness' has arisen as a result of the parent's actions in producing a factitious illness either directly (induced illness) or by telling a story of symptoms which lead health professionals to believe the child has an illness. A practical staged approach to this problem is described.
This book is a practical guide written by professionals with current experience in this field. It covers all aspects of this form of abuse from mild to life threatening presentations and is structured around case scenarios. It should be of interest to paediatricians both hospital based and community, child mental health professionals, nurses and health visitors, social workers and legal experts.
